Honda has a new electronically controlled combined ABS system for super sport motorcycles. ABS is something that we are usually more comfortable seeing on a touring bike or any bike ridden in a less aggressive manner. When rider control of braking inputs is critical, as it is in any high speed environment, the thought of any ABS system taking control at the wrong moment can make a rider just a wee bit uneasy. This “brake by wire†system uses electronic control of the brakes for “Combined ABS” and looks like it is aimed at not upsetting the balance, precisely monitoring input on both levers to generate braking force to both wheels accordingly.
Given Honda’s demonstrated technical prowess, there’s probably a very good chance this works very well. It will be interesting to see back to back comparisons with bikes equipped with this system and without.
Honda press release:
Honda has announced the world’s first electronically-controlled “Combined ABS†for Super Sport motorcycles, aimed at combining ABS and CBS systems into one system that applies the basic advantages of both, while specifically addressing the requirements of a Super Sport context.
In order to achieve this, the particular characteristics of Super Sport bikes, such as short wheelbase, are taken into account. The system also operates without interference to sports riding, and with an emphasis on maintaining full rider control.
The system consists of an electronically controlled combined “brake by wire†system with an innovative stroke simulator. Direct motor control ensures precise operation of the ABS. The components are divided into several smaller units so there are more, but smaller units than in previous systems.
The system’s effectiveness is due to four main factors:
1. Electronic control of the CBS, allowing more advanced control of brake force. This provides a more sensitive distribution of brake force over both wheels.
2, Measurement of rider input force on each lever. The ideal brake force on both wheels is generated accordingly, providing optimum distribution and minimizing vehicle body reaction.
3. An “ABS modulator†which ensures late triggering of ABS, and smooth ABS intervention.
4. Small size meaning that the system’s components can be well integrated in the motorcycle’s package. Thus mass-centralisation, a key feature for Super Sport bikes, is supported.
All the basic ABS and CBS functions are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance and easy operation. This is achieved without any compromise to stability during ABS operation. Pitching is minimized so that the bike keeps its normal position. Overall, sport riding performance is uninterrupted – cornering feel remains the same and controllability is enhanced.
WRXr says
As you stated, ABS has been around on bikes for a while…BMW, Etc. I believe Ducati has had it on their bikes as well. So this is not a sport bike first.
Still… kudos. I can’t think of a better application for ABS than on motorcycles.
kneeslider says
This is both an ABS system and a combined braking system (front and rear wheel braking) which also has a considerable level of electronic control involved. I don’t know how it specifically compares to the systems of BMW and Ducati but this seems to be a bit more than just ABS.
anon says
Combine it with a pitch sensor for perfect stoppies every time!
WRXr says
Kneeslider-
BMW and Ducati also have both offered linked ABS braking systems for some years now. Not sure if Ducati still does. I am also not sure how they all compare on the technical side. Being the Honda system is brand new, I can only guess it is technically as advanced if not more advanced than existing systems. But that is a guess.
As I said: Kudos to Honda. ABS is about the best possible application for ABS.
csmrcka says
Ducati had ABS on their Sport Tourers. The ST’s. Not sure they qualify as SuperSports. Just saying.
ROHORN says
When does it hit the market?
When will the second brake control go the way of the manual ignition advance or kick starter?
todd says
To think I’ve made it safely all these years with cables.
-todd
kneeslider says
ROHORN, excellent question. Long time riders may find it a little strange at first not to have 2 separate brakes to contend with but moving forward it makes sense that combined braking with ABS will be a standard feature. In the same way that shifting is beginning to evolve into automatic technology, brakes will probably become simpler, with unified controls.
Mr. Tanshanomi says
I used to be of the opinion that automatic controls somehow took away from the fun of riding. But after spending enough time on PWCs, scooters, snowmobiles and karts, I have grown to love the simplicity of two simple controls – “go faster” and “slow down.” It can’t come to sport bikes soon enough for me.
Loomis says
Pass.
The first bike which I ever experienced a disk brake was a honda MB5. After the first time I grabbed the front brake, I promptly denounced hydraulic brakes as the stupidest thing ever done to a motorcycle. It took me another ten years after that little spill before I would consider buying a motorcycle with a disk brake…and that was mainly because my drum brake options were drying up fast.
I figure by the time I get comfortable with ABS on a bike, I’ll have traded in my bike for a battery powered personal mobility scooter.
christopher says
manufacturers keep creating new technology that is supposed to improve our vehicle’s abilities. and for the most part it has. the problem is, as always, when you give up more control to a machine the human becomes less vital to that machine’s function. it’s not all that bad when you’re commuting in a sea of dullness, just running an errand, etc. the problem is when you want to actually use the machine for it’s intended purpose – you still have that same disconnection from the vehicle. i’m not saying the electronic revolution is a bad thing for motorcycles. quite the opposite. i’m just asking for an OFF SWITCH. imagine: riding your GSX-R like a scooter one minute, then flipping a switch and riding it like the animal of a bike it really is.
Alex says
This seems to be the solution to the rollover problem of ABS in sports bikes. Since the brake is combined and the rear one cannot be used individually, the rear wheel will immediately stop when lifting of the ground and the bike knows it is time to gently reduce braking power on the front wheel in order to prevent rollover. Absolutely awesome idea! IMHO the solution to ABS systems on bikes.
However, this is still not useable for full braking in curves and I also prefer 2 separate brakes. Maybe time to rethink that…
coho says
Like Loomis I, too, resisted what I saw as the encroachment of technology on the rider’s sacred duty to be fully in charge of the motorcycle.
After several years now as an (unlinked)ABS-having rider, I might buy a non-ABS bike again, but not as a commuter or a tourer. Probably not at all. I don’t think it’s taking anything from us in the way of control so much as it’s freeing our attention so that it can be focused elsewhere.
All in all, it’s us (old, crusty, learned-on-cable/drum-brake-and-clutch/gearbox-having-bikes riders)that are the problem.
When the majority of the riders out there are people who started out on linked-ABS-&-CVT-having-bikes I’m sure that the all new gyroscopic autopilot or auto-hover-mode will thrill some and offend the rest (“In my day the rider had to hold down the hover button manually!”).
And it’ll probably be discussed thoroughly on Kneeslider2050.
skeeter says
ABS is awesome; hate linked brakes.
dave says
I think I should just quit my job now…
Electronics on motorcycles have gotten way out of control. ELECTRONICLY controlled brakes???? No physical link to the system from the lever???
Nope. I won’t have it. These things are going the way of modern aircraft. Can’t operate in ANY way if a system drops offline.
I’m sure the integration of electronic systems is doing wonders for performance… BUT, when you’re talking about relying on a computer to actually operate a safety-device after recieving an input from your finger- with NO PHYSICAL LINK.. Not something I think is a good idea.
Whatever happened to 2 wheels, a motor, and rider?
Bikes shouldn’t be this complicated.
kneeslider says
Dave,
“Can’t operate in ANY way if a system drops offline.”
I wonder what happened the first time someone used hydraulics instead of cables.
Can’t operate in ANY way if the fluid leaks out.
todd says
My brakes didn’t work very well the last time the cable broke. Of course seeing the frayed cable for about a month before should have told me something. I’m not worried about a loss of safety or the physical link, I just think this is one more item to help jack the price of motorcycles even higher and make them even more complicated. I like old bikes because; A) they are very simple, B) they are very inexpensive, C) they are easier and less expensive to maintain than a new bike. Electronic ABS-linked braking devices? As long as they don’t weigh any more or add to the cost or complexity of the bike I’m all for it.
Alex, ABS will not solve rollover (or “stoppie”) problems. The only thing that the ABS does when the rear wheel lifts and stops turning is… release the rear brake until the wheel matches the speed of the front wheel.
-todd
dave says
kneeslider:
Umm… Fluid leaks are MUCH easier to deal with than an errant computer chip.
Fluid leaks are also visible. Anmd can be addressed with simple hand-tools. On the side of the road, or in your own garage…
Computers, on the other hand, REQUIRE a dedicated program (if not computer) to jack-in, diagnose, and (possibly) repair said failure. Not something easily done by Average Joe. Also, take into account the various ways that electronics can be effected by other systems on the bike. Stator/regulator gone bad? Might still run to get your road-weary tail off the road, or into civilization, but with electrnic systems… The vehicle is DEAD. Right now. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve had newer bikes have complete ignition system/electrical failures *AT SPEED*… Now, throw in a non-operational braking system? And don’t think the clutch operation is far behind….
Nope, not good, my boys… Not good.
Alex says
I assume the braking system is not fly-by-wire only. The diagram also clearly shows a hydraulic connection.
Todd: You misunderstood! All ABS systems so far have a rollover problem (please inform yourself). This is the first one which could solve the prob because the front and rear brakes are linked, thus no rollover sensor (which is still a big research issue) necessary.
I did never say that ABS helps against the rollover. Actually it has been a cause for rollover so far. And that is the reason why it has only been applied to heavy tourers instead of lightweight sportsbikes so far.
Sean says
What if someone learns to ride on an ABS bike, then jumps onto a non-ABS bike?
Sean (another Sean) says
BMW ABS does have anti rollover. If the rear wheel locks,
(presumably because it’s in the air) it will also release pressure
on the front brake, until the rear wheel spins up again.
This isn’t always ideal. If you are braking as you go over
a speed bump or the like, you can lose all brakes while the
rear wheel is in the air. But it relieves you of the worry that
you might do an endo if you grab a bunch of brake in a
panic stop.
bR1an says
An attempt at “dumbing down” the motorcycle. Make it easier so that any idiot can (and probably will) be able to ride it. I’ve made it just fine over the last 20 odd years thank you very much. Silicon over skill? NEVER.